Seasonal Water Level Fluctuations Research Articles

Assessment of In Situ Bioremediation of Oil Contaminated Soil and Groundwater in a Petroleum Refinery: A Laboratory Soil Column Study

Precipitation and seasonal water level fluctuations mostly add to the problem of soil and groundwater contamination and lead to pollution of capillary fringe layer and exacerbation of groundwater contamination. At the Tehran Oil Refining Company (TORC), with critical problem of soil and groundwater pollution, finding a suitable remediation method has been a big concern. As bioremediation is one of the most economically and technically attractive decontamination methods, it was chosen for preliminary study to solve this problem. For simulation of the region, soil column treatment method by using oil habituated indigenous microorganisms of the area was selected. The main purpose was assessing the suitability of bioremediation method in the target area for treatment of capillary fringe layer. Two columns (one as treatment column and the other as a control) were designed and the variation of different parameters including dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, the number of viable and active microorganisms (CFU/mL), and biodegradation rate during 30 working days were recorded. The experiments showed that a major part of degrading microorganisms were facultative anaerobic. pH was not an inhibiting factor and the number of active microorganisms was increasing during aeration time. The results of solvent extraction method also revealed that during 30 days, about 6% of total petroleum hydrocarbon in columns was biologically degraded. Finally, it was disclosed that bioremediation method could be effective in solving the area's pollution problem. However, new studies should be conducted to optimize the biodegradation rate and extrapolate from the laboratory scale results to the field ones.

First results on bathymetry, stratification and physicochemical limnology of a small tropical African reservoir (Malilangwe, Zimbabwe)

The study provides a 9-month record of Malilangwe Reservoir water chemistry periodicity, for the period between February and October 2011. Malilangwe Reservoir is a small (211 ha), shallow (mean depth 4.54 m) reservoir situated in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. The reservoir has not spilled in nearly 11 years, which makes it a unique system as most reservoirs of comparable size spill annually. This is the first bathymetric and limnological study of the reservoir where the morphology and physicochemical quality of the water body were examined. The reservoir was not strongly stratified during the hot-wet and hot-dry season with oxygen depletion of < 2 mg·l -1 DO being observed in the bottom layers (<6 m depth). Nutrient concentrations varied throughout the seasons. The reservoir exhibited marked seasonal fluctuations in water level, which decreased by over 149 cm between February and October. The N:P ratio rose to as high as 10.9 and generally reflected high levels of phosphorus in the reservoir. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in Secchi depth transparency between the study sites. Differences observed in water quality were due to water level fluctuations, with poor water quality conditions being experienced during the hot-dry season and the cool-dry season when water levels were low. The reservoir was classified as being mesotrophic. Therefore, there is a risk of eutrophication, especially since the reservoir is currently merely a sink for nutrients. Keywords: Bathymetry, limnology, water level fluctuation, stratification, Malilangwe

A mathematical model for the transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in consideration of seasonal water level fluctuations of Poyang Lake in Jiangxi, China

BackgroundPoyang Lake, the largest fresh water lake in China, is the major transmission site of Schistosoma japonicum in China. Epidemics of schistosomiasis japonica have threatened the health of residents and stunted social–economic development there. ObjectiveThis article aims at evaluating the effect of various control measures against schistosomiasis: selective mass treatment (ST), targeted mass treatment (TT), mass treatment for animal reservoirs (MT), and health education (HE), on reduction of the prevalence through simulations based on a mathematical model. MethodsWe proposed a mathematical model, which is a system of ordinary differential equations for the transmission of S. japonicum among humans, bovines, and snails. The model takes into account the seasonal variation of the water level of Poyang Lake that is caused by the backflow of the Yangtze River and inflow from five small rivers, which influences the transmission of S. japonicum. For the purpose of dealing with the age-specific prevalence and intensity of infection, the human population was classified into four age categories in the model. We carried out several simulations resulting from the execution of ST and TT for elementary school children (E Sch), and combinations of ST, MT, and HE. ResultsThe simulations indicated that all of the control measures only for humans had a trend of revival after interruption, and a combination of ST and MT has a significant effect on reducing human infection. Although TT and HE had a significant effect on the prevalence in the E Sch group, it had little effect on the overall human population. ConclusionThe simulations indicate that measures targeted to bovines such as chemotherapy besides humans will be vital to eliminate the transmission of S. japonicum in the Poyang Lake region. Moreover, it is desirable to improve health education for fishermen and herdsmen.

Palaeogeographic, palaeoclimatic, palaeohydrological and chemical/biochemical controls on accumulation of late Eocene coastal lacustrine–palustrine limestones, Southern England

The shallow-lacustrine to palustrine Hatherwood Limestone Member of the late Eocene Headon Hill Formation, Southern England, is in a succession of fluvio-estuarine and laguno-lacustrine siliciclastic sediments. It is up to 8.0m thick and is subdivided by metric-scale palaeotopographic erosion surfaces, one of which underlies lenticular humic siliciclastic mudstones. The limestone lithologies are (1) biocalcilutites/biocalcisiltites, (2) biocalcarenites, (3) calcirudites, and (4) laterally-discontinuous laminar and fenestral crusts. Lithology (1) accumulated in a low-energy shallow-lacustrine depositional environment, indicated by the predominance of pulmonate pond-snails in the mollusc assemblage. In contrast, lithologies (2) and (3) are the coarse-grained fills of shallow palaeotopographic lows, and also form basal lags and palaeokarst-fills. Lithology (3) comprises remnant autochthonous lags that resulted from selective erosion during lacustrine transgressions. Brecciation and proto-intraclast to nodular differentiation in lithology (2) suggests derivation of the intraclasts from subaerially- and pedogenically-modified shallow-lacustrine muds. Laminar crusts (4), 0.5–6.0cm in thickness, display irregularly undulose and anastamosing laminations 150–400μm thick, that display differential staining by iron oxide. The abundance of rootlet traces and calcitised parenchymatic root tissues in the fenestral crusts suggests a palustrine depositional environment for these lithologies. The siliciclastic mudstone lithologies are (1) black humic muds and (2) blue-green silty muds and marls. The high C/N molar ratio of the black muds suggests derivation of the humic content mainly from vascular plants in local wetlands. The mollusc assemblage of the blue-green siliciclastic muds resembles floodplain lake assemblages from the regional Palaeogene succession. Mean stable isotopic values for limestone samples, of −4.75±1.53 for δ13C and −2.77±1.47 for δ18O, indicate a relatively heavy tendency within published spectra for Tertiary lacustrine carbonates. The δ18O isotope results agree with published subtropical surface-water palaeotemperatures for this succession. The total characteristics of the Member therefore suggest a shallow-lacustrine to palustrine depositional environment. Pedogenic overprinting and mechanical reworking displayed by the limestones are attributable to seasonal fluctuations of water level during lake highstands, but in this marine-influenced setting, major long-term lake lowstands, resulting in deep erosion and palaeokarsting of the limestones, may be attributable to falls in relative sea-level. The biocalcilutites and humic muds accumulated during the ensuing lake transgressions.

Long-term dam safety monitoring of Punt dal Gall arch dam in Switzerland

The 130 m high Punt dal Gall dam is located at the Swiss-Italian border in the South-eastern part of Switzerland and was completed in 1969. The dam is founded on highly folded and partially crushed dolomite and limestone formations. A grout curtain with an area of 120,000 m2 was provided for controlling seepage. For the monitoring of the dam deformations five inverted pendulums were installed in the dam and three in the rock foundation of the right abutment outside of the dam. For a seasonal water level fluctuation in the reservoir of about 60 m the maximum amplitude of the radial displacement is 25 mm, which includes both the effects of the water load and temperature effects. Furthermore a comprehensive geodetic network was established, 57 joint meters were installed and cracks in the crest gallery are monitored by crack meters. There are also thermometers, piezometers and rocmeters. Springs at the left and right banks of the dam are monitored and chemical analyses of the seepage water and springs are performed regularly. The dam is equipped with strong motion instruments and several near-field earthquakes have been recorded in the past. The paper describes the long-term safety monitoring of this 42 years old arch dam. A short description of the Swiss practice in dam safety monitoring and emergency planning is also given.

Potential influence of water level changes on energy flows in a lake food web

Large seasonal water-level fluctuations may influence isotopic signatures of primary producers and the types and amounts of these potential food sources accessible to aquatic fauna of Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. In this study, the isotopic signatures of primary producers and consumers were determined, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis and mixing models were combined to investigate the influence of water levels on the diet and isotopic composition of Poyang Lake fish and invertebrates. Five potential food sources (seston, benthic organic matter, aquatic macrophytes, attached algae, and terrestrial plants), 4 species of invertebrates, and 10 species of fish were collected from the lake area during dry and wet seasons between January 2009 and April 2010. The δ 13C values of invertebrates and most fish were within the range of δ 13C values of the potential food sources for both seasons. The δ 13C values of invertebrates and most fish were lower in the dry season than in the wet season, whereas the δ 15N values exhibited different patterns for different species. Mixing models indicated that the most important food sources for common lake fauna were seston in the dry season and aquatic macrophytes and terrestrial plants in the wet season. The fauna were more omnivorous in the wet season than in the dry season. The food web dynamics of Poyang Lake are strongly influenced by changes in the abundance and accessibility of different basal food sources that occur because of seasonal flood pulses. The trophic links within the aquatic communities of Poyang Lake are modified by water-level fluctuations.

Rates and environmental controls of aeolian dust accumulation, Athabasca River Valley, Canadian Rocky Mountains

Despite an abundance of sedimentary archives of mineral dust (i.e. loess) accumulations from cold, humid environments, the absence of contemporary process investigations limits paleoenvironmental interpretations in these settings. Dust accumulations measured at Jasper Lake, a seasonally-filled reach of the glacially-fed Athabasca River in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, are some of the highest contemporary rates recorded to date. High deposition rates, including a maximum of 27,632 kg ha − 1 month − 1, occur during river low-flow periods, but even the lowest deposition rates, occurring during bankfull periods, exceed other contemporary rates of deposition. High rates of dust deposition may be attributed to geomorphic and climatic controls affecting sediment supply, availability and transport, and biologic factors affecting accumulation. Localized confinement of the Jasper River by tributary river alluvial fans has caused channel expansion upstream, and formation of the shallow depositional basin known as Jasper Lake. This localized sedimentary basin, coupled with large seasonal water level fluctuations and suitably high wind speeds, favors seasonal dust production. In addition, a dense source-proximal coniferous forest stand encourages high dust accumulation, via increased aerodynamic roughness and airflow deceleration. The forest stand also appears to act as an efficient dust filter, with the interception and storage of dust by the forest canopy playing a significant role with regards to secondary fallout and sediment accumulation. Overall, these results provide new insights on the environmental controls of dust entrainment and accumulation in cold, humid settings, and help clarify controls on the formation of Holocene river-sourced loess deposits.

Sediment geochemistry, mineral precipitation and clay neoformation on the Mkuze River floodplain, South Africa

The Mkuze Wetland System, situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, is South Africa's largest freshwater wetland area, and acts as a major sink for naturally occurring solutes within the landscape. The mineralogy and geochemistry of 135 sediment samples from two transect sites on the Mkuze River floodplain were investigated to identify processes involved in the control of solute concentrations. Results show that clastic sediment is dominated by silt and fine sand, with clay mineralogy comprising primarily Fe-rich smectite. Smectite is concentrated within the lower zone of sediment profiles where it is believed to be neogenetic in origin. Smectite neoformation is typically associated with the precipitation of CaCO 3 and SiO 2 which results from the evapotranspirative concentration of groundwater solutes. Evapotranspiration locally lowers water table elevation and plays an important role in controlling the geochemical behaviour of Fe and Mn. Seasonal water level fluctuations result in the accumulation of Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides, which likely favours smectite neoformation. The precipitation of minerals and immobilisation of solutes within the Mkuze River floodplain sediments has important implications for the long-term development of the geomorphology and ecology of the wetland system, as it has potential to alter sediment properties, groundwater composition, salinity, vegetation distribution, and topographic relief.

Mycorrhizal colonization and growth of Phragmites australis in an intermittent wetland

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungal colonization of Phragmites australis roots and its relation to plant productivity parameters was investigated in an intermittent karst wetland Lake Cerknica (Slovenia) with seasonal water level fluctuations. Mycorrhizal colonization was determined five times in 2008–from the beginning to the end of the growing season–in three reed stands with large differences in soil parameters and water level changes. AM and DSE colonization varied significantly between sampling plots and during the growing season (7% < frequency < 87%). The flooding of two of the three reed stands decreased mycorrhiza early in the growing season, but further flooding had no additional effect. Levels of DSE colonization were high in the beginning and the end of the growing season, while a peak in AM colonization was observed towards the end. The observed positive in situ correlation between mycorrhizal colonization and P. australis growth parameters does not allow final mechanistic conclusion: both P. australis and mycorrhiza could be beneficial.

Environmental changes affect ecosystem services of the intermittent Lake Cerknica

Lake Cerknica is an intermittent wetland with seasonal water level fluctuations. This paper discusses the possible changes of ecosystem services due to altered ecosystem functions caused by regional climate change. For this purpose, the lake's water regime was analysed and biomass production of common reed ( Phragmites australis), the prevailing species, was related to ambient temperatures and water level. The effect of the latter was also examined for reed transpiration rate and plant diversity. The results revealed a gradual loss of seasonality of floods and droughts. High water level in winter months and temperatures at the beginning as well as the end of vegetation period were found to have a significant influence on reed biomass. The plant diversity research in six subsequent years in three different aquatic habitats revealed trends of a decrease due to increased water depth during the vegetation period. The complexity of the system and consequently ecosystem services might also be affected due to changes of other processes, which revealed to be related to water level; namely transpiration rate, plant mycorrhizal colonisation and soil mineralisation.

Hydrogeological factors: their association and relationship with seasonal water-table fluctuation in the composite hardrock Aravalli terrain, India

Seasonal rise of groundwater level manifests aquifer recharge through infiltration. Spatial variation of aquifer recharge within the same basin or terrain is a function of terrain heterogeneity governed by different hydrogeological factors. However, assessment of relations between water-level fluctuations (WLF) with various hydrogeological factors is not straightforward. In the present study, various hydrogeological factors that could influence aquifer recharge in the deformed crystalline Aravalli terrain of India have been analysed. Frequency plots have been used to assess the variations in WLF under different geological parameter classes. Seasonal WLF associated with these factors have been compared using various statistical parameters. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests have been used to determine the statistical significance of fluctuation difference. The study infers that saturated thickness, lineament, lineament-intersection, and drainage beside surface elevation and well depth are the main geological factors influencing aquifer recharge in the Aravalli terrain. Median values under these factors are integrated and compared with the interpolated values of mean WLF at hypothetical well locations. They are found to closely resemble each other. This infers capability and applicability of the technique in identifying key factors governing WLF, and in predicting WLF at unexplored locations.

Soil Organism and Plant Introductions in Restoration of Species‐Rich Grassland Communities

Abstract Soil organisms can strongly affect competitive interactions and successional replacements of grassland plant species. However, introduction of whole soil communities as management strategy in grassland restoration has received little experimental testing. In a 5‐year field experiment at a topsoil‐removed ex‐arable site (receptor site), we tested effects of (1) spreading hay and soil, independently or combined, and (2) transplanting intact turfs on plant and soil nematode community development. Material for the treatments was obtained from later successional, species‐rich grassland (donor site). Spreading hay affected plant community composition, whereas spreading soil did not have additional effects. Plant species composition of transplanted turfs became less similar to that in the donor site. Moreover, most plants did not expand into the receiving plots. Soil spreading and turf transplantation did not affect soil nematode community composition. Unfavorable soil conditions (e.g., low organic matter content and seasonal fluctuations in water level) at the receptor site may have limited plant and nematode survival in the turfs and may have precluded successful establishment outside the turfs. We conclude that introduction of later successional soil organisms into a topsoil‐removed soil did not facilitate the establishment of later successional plants, probably because of the “mismatch” in abiotic soil conditions between the donor and the receptor site. Further research should focus on the required conditions for establishment of soil organisms at restoration sites in order to make use of their contribution to grassland restoration. We propose that introduction of organisms from “intermediate” stages will be more effective as management strategy than introduction of organisms from “target” stages.

Geostatistical analysis of spatiotemporal variability of groundwater level fluctuations in Amman–Zarqa basin, Jordan: a case study

The main objective of this study was to assess the spatial and temporal variability of groundwater level fluctuations in the Amman–Zarqa basin, during the period 2001–2005. In the year 2003, as a consequence of war, there was a sudden increase in the population in this basin. Knowing that the basin is already heavily populated and witnesses most of the human and industrial activities in Jordan, this study was prompted to help make wise water resources management decisions to cope with the new situation. Data from 31 fairly distributed wells in the upper aquifer of the basin were subjected to geostatistical treatment. Kriging interpolation techniques have indicated that the groundwater flow directions remained almost constant over the years. The two main directions are SW–NE and E–W. Kriging mapped fluctuations have also showed that drop and rise events are localized in the basin. Forecasting possibilities for management purposes were tackled using autocorrelation analysis. The constructed autocorrelograms indicated, in general, the temporal dependence of seasonal water level fluctuations, and that forecasting can be carried out within a period of 3–21 months. Several suggestions were made to mitigate the drop and rise hazards in the detected sites.

Water environment improvements in Zhenjiang City, China

The Neijiang River is the main water body in Zhenjiang City, a medium-sized city in the east of China, located in the Yangtze River delta. With the long-term aim of improving water quality and restoring the aquatic ecosystem of Zhenjiang City, integrated physical and numerical modelling of the Neijiang River was carried out. A series of engineering measures was proposed based on modelling results. The first is the construction of a sluice and pumping station near the inlet of the main course of water passage, that is, the navigation channel. The second proposal is to build desilting basins on both sides of the sluice/pumping station. Results of physical experiments indicate that the sluice/pumping station can effectively regulate water exchange between the Neijiang and Yangtze Rivers and reduce seasonal water level fluctuations of the Neijiang River. Large quantities of sediment accumulate in the two desilting basins, resulting in obvious increases in river water transparency. Other measures proposed are a vegetated dam downstream of the second desilting basin and new ecotypic banks inside the Neijiang River and urban rivers. Newly planted vegetation on the vegetated dam and riverbanks has already greatly enhanced the self-purification capacity of the Neijiang River while naturally maintaining the city landscape.

Nutrient chemistry and salinity mapping of the Delhi aquifer, India: source identification perspective

Present study is an effort to distinguish between the contributions of natural weathering and anthropogenic inputs towards high salinity and nutrient concentrations in the groundwater of National Capital Territory (NCT) Delhi, India. Apart from the source identification, the aquifer of entire territory has been characterized and mapped on the basis of salinity in space and water suitability with its depth. Major element chemistry, conventional graphical plots and specific ionic ratio of Na+/Cl−, SO42−/Cl−, Mg2+/Ca2+ and Ca2+/(HCO3−+SO42−) are conjointly used to distinguish different salinization sources. Results suggest that leaching from the various unlined landfill sites and drains is the prime cause of NO3− contamination while study area is highly affected with inland salinity which is geogenic in origin. The seasonal water level fluctuation and rising water level increases nutrients concentration in groundwater. Mixing with old saline sub-surface groundwater and dissolution of surface salts in the salt affected soil areas were identified as the principle processes controlling groundwater salinity through comparison of ionic ratio. Only minor increase of salinity is the result of evaporation effect and pollution inflows. The entire territory has characterized into four groups as fresh, freshening, near freshening and saline with respect to salinity in groundwater. The salinity mapping suggests that in general, for drinking needs, groundwater in the fresh, freshening and near freshening zone is suitable up to a depth of 45, 20 and 12m, respectively, while the saline zones are unsuitable for any domestic use. In the consideration of increasing demand of drinking water in the area; present study is vital and recommends further isotopic investigations and highlights the need of immediate management action for landfill sites and unlined drains.

Development of Floating Wave Barriers for Cost-Effective Protection of Irrigation Pond Levees

The earth levees commonly used for irrigation reservoirs are subjected to significant embankment erosion due to wind-generated waves. Large seasonal fluctuations in water level make vegetative bank protection impractical, and other stabilization methods, such as the use of stone or discarded tires, are not acceptable due to ecological or economic concerns. Here, a floating wave barrier made of polyethylene irrigation tubing is designed through a laboratory model study and subjected to a short-term prototype-scale field test. Based on wave characteristics measured in an irrigation pond near Carlisle, Arkansas, a laboratory-scale wave generating flume was designed, constructed, and used to test multiple wave barrier configurations for regular waves in deep and transitional water depths. Wave transmission characteristics were investigated for the following breakwater arrangements: (1) fully restrained, (2) vertically restrained with a single mooring line, and (3) horizontally restrained with piles at both sides of the wave barrier. The test results show that cylindrical pipes can be used effectively and that wave transmission characteristics strongly depend on the draft and mooring configuration of the wave barrier. The use of multiple small cylinders to replace a single large one is validated. A composite design made of two sizes of cylinders joined at the top was chosen for field testing. In the prototype-scale field test, wave amplitudes were reduced by an average of approximately 50%, which translates into a 75% reduction in wave energy.

Fish assemblage structure is consistent through an annual hydrological cycle in habitats of a floodplain-lake in the Colombian Amazon

I investigated changes in abundance and spatial distribution of medium- and large-sized fishes (&gt;100 mm) in an oxbow lake of the lower Apaporis River, Colombian Amazon, across three seasons (falling, low, and rising water). Fifty-three species in 13 families were collected from six habitats: lagoon channels, stream, flooded forests, isolated shrub patches, muddy beaches, and rocks. Abundance, biomass, and species richness were higher during the rising-water season and lower during falling-water season. Correspondence analysis (CA) showed that fish assemblages were associated to two basic habitat types. One assemblage of fishes was associated with densely vegetated and structurally complex habitats (flooded forest, lagoon channels, stream, and isolated shrub patches), and a second assemblage of fishes was associated with muddy beaches. These assemblages persisted despite seasonal fluctuations in water level. Species in the structurally complex habitats assemblage were mostly omnivores, whereas the beach habitat assemblage included mainly piscivores and detritivores. Results from this study suggest that overall abundance of fishes in habitats within and surrounding Taraira Lake is highly variable among seasons, but species habitat affinity is maintained through seasons.

Analysis of arsenic speciation in mine contaminated lacustrine sediment using selective sequential extraction, HR-ICPMS and TEM

Abstract In order to determine how As speciation in lacustrine sediment changes as a function of local conditions, sediment cores were taken from three lakes with differing hydrologic regimes and subjected to extensive chemical and TEM analysis. The lakes (Killarney, Thompson and Swan Lakes) are located within the Coeur d’ Alene River system (northern Idaho, USA), which has been contaminated with trace metals and As, from over 100 a of sulfide mining. Previous analyses of these lakebed sediments have shown an extensive amount of contaminant metals and As associated with sub-μm grains, making them extremely difficult to analyze using standard methods (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction). Transmission electron microscopy offers great advantages in spatial resolution and can be invaluable in determining As speciation when combined with other techniques. Data indicate that because of differences in local redox conditions, As speciation and stability is dramatically different in these lakes. Killarney and Thompson Lakes experience seasonal water-level fluctuations due to drawdown on a downstream dam, causing changes in O 2 content in sediment exposed during drawdown. Swan Lake has relatively constant water levels as its only inlet is dammed. Consequently, Killarney and Thompson Lakes show an increase in labile As-bearing phases with depth, while Swan Lake data indicate stable As hosts throughout the sediment profile. Based on these observations it can be stated that As in lakebed sediments is much less mobile, and therefore less bioavailable, when water is kept at a constant level.

Long-term and seasonal water level fluctuations of the Rybinsk Reservoir and their role in the functioning of its ecosystem

Seasonal and long-term variability of the Rybinsk Reservoir level regime over the period of its operation was analyzed. Changes in the level regime at different phases of water content were shown together with the data on mean monthly and extreme level values and the rates of the reservoir filling and drawdown. The level regime impact on the functioning of individual components of the reservoir ecosystem was discussed. Due consideration was given to the assessment of changes in the reservoir environmental situation under the condition of the normal impounded water level drop by 1 m.

Establishing a Rural Groundwater Monitoring Network Using Existing Wells: West Nose Creek Pilot Study, Alberta

Sustainable groundwater management requires long-term monitoring of aquifer water level, water quality, and water use with adequate spatial and temporal resolution in order to evaluate the response of the aquifer to changes in pumping rates and meteorological conditions. Since existing federal and provincial monitoring programs do not have sufficient spatial resolution, an alternative is to establish locally-based monitoring programs coordinated by municipalities or watershed groups. A network of more than 20 monitoring wells was implemented in the West Nose Creek watershed near Calgary, Alberta using existing water supply wells. The network effectively captured the pattern of seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations of aquifer water level. Understanding of the natural fluctuation will help the community detect any undesirable effects of increasing water extraction in the future. Biannual newsletters were distributed to the well owners and a wider community within the watershed to communicate the results and background knowledge. The methodology established in this pilot study may provide a cost-effective tool for rural groundwater monitoring in the Canadian prairies and elsewhere.